Comment at POLIS

Volha Piotukh on commemorating the 25th anniversary of Chernobyl

This year the world will be commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident. POLIS PhD Candidate, Volha Piotukh talks about its consequences for the people of Belarus, and the need to appreciate the suffering and the needs of those most affected, drawing parallels with the current situation in Japan.

Dr Mette Wiggen on the recent terrorist attacks in Norway

Following the recent terrorist attacks in Norway, Dr Mette Wiggen - Teaching Fellow
in European Politics discusses the importance of recognising danger from the
extreme right, and critiques the media and the immediate reaction from politicians
and commentators on recent events.

Dr Alex Titov on the Russian Presidential election

Following the Russian Presidential election on 5 March, Dr Alex Titov - Teaching Fellow in Russian Politics and Politics of Corruption talks about the results and their implications for the future of the Russian political system under the newly (re)elected President Putin.

Dr Christine Harlen on the US Presidential Election 2012

Following the success of Obama in the 2012 US Presidential
Elections, Dr Christine Harlen, Lecturer in US Politics and International
Political Economy discusses surprising developments in the elections, the
impact Obama may have in his second term and how his re-election will affect
the US and beyond.

Dr Graeme Davies on the implications of the Strategic Defence Review

As the armed forces begin to deal with the implications of the Strategic Defence Review, Dr Graeme Davies - Lecturer in International Security discusses the consequences of Defence cuts for Britain’s role in the world.

Dr David Hall-Matthews on Britain's international development budget and overseas aid

In this age of government austerity, Britain’s international development budget has been spared the cuts. Senior Lecturer in International Development, Dr David Hall-Matthews discusses why overseas aid is still thriving in these hard economic times.

Dr Jonathan Dean on feminist activism in the UK

Feminism is often seen as a passing 1970s phenomenon. However, with the government’s budget cuts predicted to hit women hardest, Dr Jonathan Dean - Lecturer in Political Theory argues that feminist ideas continue to underpin a recent wave of activism in the UK.

Dr Nick Robinson on the role of military video games in politics

Video games continue to provoke controversy. With the release of the game Medal of Honor, which purports to depict the realities of the ongoing war in Afghanistan, Dr Nick Robinson, Lecturer in Politics and Videogames, offers his expert take on the role of military video games in contemporary politics and asks: what are the implications of allowing the gamer to fight the war on terror?

Professor Ray Bush on Egypt’s Popular Uprising

How do we understand the recent political turmoil in Egypt and what
might be the possible outcomes of mass demonstrations for political and
economic reform? Ray Bush, Professor of African Studies and Development
Politics discusses what lies behind the causes of Egypt’s crisis.

Dr Tim Heppell on choosing Labour party leaders

As Ed Miliband is elected as Labour Leader, Dr Tim Heppell - Lecturer in British Politics, offers his expert commentary on choosing Labour party leaders, the difficulty in challenging leadership and the victory of Ed Miliband.